Sunderland boss Peter Reid is back in the hunt for Rangers midfielder Claudio Reyna.

Reid stepped up his efforts after learning that the American midfielder had rejected an improved offer to stay at Ibrox.

Reid refused to be put off when the Scottish giants turned down his #3.5m bid last week and now he will try again to clinch a deal.

Sunderland currently head Aston Villa in the chase for the 28-year-old schemer and their chances have been boosted by the player's declaration that he wants to play in the Premiership.

"We did make an offer hoping he would extend his contract, but he has made it clear that he wants to play in the Premiership," said Rangers chairman David Murray.

"We would still like him to stay until the end of the season. However if the right offer comes in he may go before that."

Reyna still has 18 months to run on his current Ibrox deal but Rangers are ready to sell him now rather than lose him for nothing when his contract expires. Villa are interested, but Sunderland remain Reyna's first choice.

Meanwhile, Black Cats defender Jody Craddock is on the comeback trail even if he won't be fit for tomorrow's home game against West Ham.

Craddock, who needed an operation after badly gashing his leg at Leicester, has revealed that he was only a fraction of an inch away from writing off the rest of the season.

"The doctor told me I was actually quite lucky because the stud missed all the tendons and vital muscles in the ankle by millimetres," he said. "I could have been out for six months."

Don Hutchison is bracing himself for a torrid welcome on his return to Wearside.